Plane's engine had no problems

Preliminary report on fatal Moffat County crash could be released today

As expected, an examination of the engine from a plane that crashed Friday in Moffat County revealed no problems or abnormalities, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board said.

"We examined the engine yesterday and didn't find anything," said Jennifer Kaiser, an NTSB air safety investigator with the Denver field office. "We'll continue looking at the wreckage (today)."

The investigation today will review the plane's airframe -- the body of the aircraft -- and associated systems such as instrument panels, flight controls and displays.

The plane crash occurred Friday afternoon in western Moffat County, near the Wyoming border. The crash claimed the lives of the plane's two passengers, New York residents Sergio Sevarese, 48, and Ivan Luini, 46.

Investigators think inclement weather played a role in the crash. The pilots reported to air traffic controllers that they were experiencing ice and turbulence and were unable to maintain altitude.

Tuesday's examination of the engine partially confirms Kaiser's belief that neither the plane's engine nor its airframe had any abnormalities that could have caused the accident.

"Weather is going to play a factor, but it's hard to say whatever else may stand out in the investigation," Kaiser said.

The plane was en route from Oakland, Calif., to Lincoln, Neb., and crashed near Moffat County Road 10N.

Investigators were scheduled to release a preliminary report on the plane crash on Wednesday. However, the release of that report was delayed so it could be reviewed before being released to the public.

Kaiser said it could be released as early as today.

A final report will not be completed for about nine months, the NTSB reported. Before certifying the cause of the accident, the report must be signed by a supervisor and a five-member review board in Washington, D.C.